BOSENTAN-DRLA

What is in this leaflet

It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you using this medicine against the benefits they expect it will have for you.

If you have any concerns about using this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.

What Bosentan-DRLA is used for

Bosentan-DRLA is used for the treatment of high blood pressure in the blood vessels between the heart and the lungs. This condition is called pulmonary arterial hypertension.

This medicine acts to reduce abnormally high blood pressure by widening these blood vessels. It belongs to the class of medicines known as endothelin receptor antagonists.

Your doctor however, may prescribe Bosentan-DRLA for another purpose.

Ask your doctor if you have any questions why it has been prescribed for you.

This medicine is only available with a doctor’s prescription.

Before you take Bosentan-DRLA

When you must not take Bosentan-DRLA

Do not take this medicine if you are:

Pregnant or intend to become pregnant. You must stop taking the medicine at least 3 months before trying to become pregnant. It is known that this medicine causes harm to the developing baby if you take it during pregnancy and in the three months before becoming pregnant.

Breastfeeding: Tell your doctor immediately if you are breastfeeding. You are advised to stop breastfeeding if this medicine is prescribed for you because it is not known if this drug passes into the milk in women who are taking this medicine.

Being treated with cyclosporine A (a medicine used after a transplant or to treat psoriasis)

Being treated with glibenclamide (a medicine used for diabetes)

Do not take Bosentan-DRLA if you are allergic to it or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.

Do not take Bosentan-DRLA if you have moderate to severe liver disorder

Do not take it after the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack. If you take it after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well.

Do not take it if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.

Before you start to take Bosentan-DRLA

Bosentan-DRLA may harm sperm. All men should use effective birth control while taking this medicine and for 3 months after they stop taking it.

If sexually active, you must use a hormonal and barrier method of contraception.

This medicine may reduce the effectiveness of hormone contraceptives such as the pill and hormone patches, implants or injection. It is important to use other contraceptives, like condoms or an intrauterine device.

Your doctor will advise you about using reliable contraceptives before taking this medicine.

You must have a negative pregnancy test at the time of starting treatment if you are sexually active.

Your doctor will need evidence that you are not pregnant.

Tell your doctor if:

You are a woman of childbearing potential and not using reliable contraceptive methods. You must have a negative pregnancy test before beginning treatment. The test should be performed on the second day of a normal menstrual period or 11 days after the last unprotected sexual intercourse, whichever is later. Your doctor will advise you about using reliable contraception before taking or whilst taking this medicine. Hormonal contraception on its own is not a reliable option because this medicine may make this method ineffective in preventing pregnancy. Hormonal contraceptives include ones you take orally (the pill), patches you put on your skin, ones that are injected and implants. You should always use additional methods of contraception such as condoms and IUDs and not rely just on hormonal contraception. You should have a pregnancy test every month while you are taking this medicine. You must stop taking this medicine for at least 3 months prior to becoming pregnant.

You are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. It is not known whether Bosentan-DRLA passes into breast milk.

You have allergies to:

any other medicines

any other substances such as foods, preservatives or dyes.

You have or have had any medical conditions, especially the following:

pulmonary arterial hypertension

anaemia

hypotension

liver or renal disorders

heart failure

HIV infection

If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you use Bosentan-DRLA.

While taking Bosentan-DRLA

Do not become pregnant while taking this medicine.

You must have a pregnancy test every month while you are taking this medicine. Your doctor will need evidence that you arenot pregnant before prescribing this medicine again.

Interactions with other medicines

Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop. Some medicines may interfere with Bosentan-DRLA.

These medicines may be affected by Bosentan-DRLA or may affect how well it works. You may need to use different amounts of your medicines, or take different medicines.

Your doctor will advise you.

Your doctor or pharmacist has more information on medicines to be careful with or to avoid while taking Bosentan-DRLA.

How to take Bosentan-DRLA

How much to take

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has instructed you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.

The usual dose is one tablet, twice daily. For the first 4 weeks you will take a 62.5 mg tablet twice daily.

Depending on how you respond to the medicine, your doctor may increase the dosage after four weeks to a 125 mg tablet twice daily.

If you do not think the medicine is working or you think it is working too well, talk to your doctor. Your doctor may need to change the dose you are taking.

How to take this medicine

Bosentan-DRLA is taken by mouth, in the morning and evening, and can be taken with or without food.

How long to take it

Do not stop taking this medicine unless your doctor tells you to. Stopping your treatment may lead to a worsening of your symptoms. Your doctor may tell you to reduce the dose over a few days before stopping completely.

If you forget to take it

If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take the next dose when you are meant to.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you have missed. This may increase the chance of getting an unwanted side effect.

If there is still a long time to go before your next dose, take it as soon as you remember and then go back to taking it as you would normally.

If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have trouble remembering when to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for hints.

If you take too much (overdose)

Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital if you think you or anyone else may have taken too much Bosentan-DRLA.

Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.

While you are using Bosentan-DRLA

Things you must do

It is very important that you have a liver function blood test before you start treatment and every month after that. Bosentan-DRLA can cause liver damage if it is not found early. Because this side effect may not cause symptoms at first, only a blood test can show that you have early liver damage. Regular blood tests let your doctor change or stop your therapy before there is permanent damage.

You should have a blood test for anaemia after 1 and 3 months, and then every 3 months for the rest of your treatment.

You need to have pregnancy tests monthly if you are a female of childbearing age

Things you must not do

Do not give the tablets to anyone else even if they have the same symptoms as you.

Things to be careful of

If you feel dizzy whilst taking this medicine, do not drive or operate any tools or machinery.

Side Effects

Tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital if you notice any of the following:

shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing

nausea

vomiting

fever

unusual tiredness

stomach pain

yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice)

These may be serious side effects of Bosentan-DRLA. You may need urgent medical attention.

Serious side effects are uncommon.

Other side effects of this medicine include:

Headache

Inflamed throat and irritated nose

passages

Flushing (hot flashes)

Ankle and leg swelling

Low blood pressure

Blood disorders

Fast heart beat

Tiredness

Itching, rash, skin inflammation, skin redness

Diarrhoea

See your doctor if any of these worry you.

Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell. Other side effects not listed above may occur in some consumers.

Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.

After using Bosentan-DRLA

Storage

Store this medicine in the original bottle, in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.

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